George Russell says Lando Norris' first F1 title win fuelled his own drive to become 2026 world champion at Mercedes

​​George Russell has revealed how watching Lando Norris celebrate his maiden F1 title win at the end of last season has "fuelled" him to try and emulate his compatriot this year.

​​Mercedes driver Russell heads into this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix as the favourite with the bookmakers for the world championship, a title currently held by long-time friend and generational rival Norris.

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports' Craig Slater in Melbourne, which will air in full during Sky Sports F1's live build-up to the Australian Grand Prix from 2.30am on Sunday, Russell said he consciously took in Norris' immediate celebrations when his fellow Brit became world champion at 2025's finale last December.

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"I watched Lando celebrate and I sat in my car as I pulled in from the pits in Abu Dhabi," said Russell.

"I wanted to watch because I thought that would fuel me more, and I think it has."

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With Russell considered the front-runner for this year's drivers' title, Mercedes are also favourites for a first Constructors' Championship triumph since 2021 - the season before the Briton joined the team from Williams.

"I feel ready to give it everything and that's ultimately all we can do," said Russell, preparing for his eighth season of F1 and fifth with Mercedes.

"We don't know what will happen but I know I'm giving it everything and my team are giving it everything. What will be, will be.

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"As we sit hear now, there's not much more we could have done. For sure, we can learn a lot this weekend and there will be things we haven't thought about."

Russell the title favourite? Norris says: it's Mercedes!

Russell, 28, and Norris, 26, have battled against each other on track since they were junior drivers in karting and often exchange playful barbs through the media.

In a separate interview with Sky Sports F1 in Melbourne which airs in Sunday's race build-up from 2.30am, Norris interjected during a question to him about the fact Russell was title favourite status to state: "Mercedes are [favourites]!"

Asked if he was therefore expecting Kimi Antonelli, Russell's team-mate, to challenge the more-experienced Briton this year, Norris said: "You never know! Just saying Mercedes are [favourites].

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"Mercedes have looked very good but it's a very long year, so I'm not getting ahead of myself.

"We still have a chance, and we'll be doing our best to fight everyone possible."

Sky Sports F1's Australian GP schedule

Saturday March 7
0.10am: F3 Sprint*
1.10am: Australian GP Practice Three (session starts at 1.30am)*
3.05am: F2 Sprint*
4.10am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
5am: AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
7am: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*
9.45pm: F3 Feature Race*

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Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted's Notebook*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (also on Sky One)*

*Also on Sky Sports Main Event

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